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New Details On RYUKYU BATTLE ROYALE

Back in early August, Film Combat Syndicate featured the new trailer for director Kishimoto Tsukasa‘s latest film, Ryukyu Battle Royale. This week, some new screening date details appeared online thanks in part to the viral spreading of the film’s official poster. I also did some more googling and google translating in the process, and discovered just a little bit more on the plot, which is said to involve actor Seung Wei portraying a character who travels all the way to Okinawa and leans how to dance from a master of Ryukyu. The dance also encompasses a formidable style of Karate that prepares him to face tough opppnents, including professional K-1fighter Shingo Koyasu and actor/martial artist and Kuro-Obi co-star Akito Yagi in a particular Battle that takes place at the film’s dojo, the Ryukyu karate school. Some Japanese sites containing new stills from the film are already reporting that the film […]

Watch The Official Music Video For SPECIAL ID Featuring Singer Kun Yang

Lee B. Golden III

We have a new official music video this Friday in promotion for the upcoming release of director Clarence Fok’s martial arts action thriller, Special ID. The music video features mainland Chinese singer and the film’s co-star Kun Yang performing the title song, “Wǒ méi nǐ xiǎng dì nàme jiānqiáng (我没你想的那么坚强)”, which translates in English as “I’m Not So Strong As You Think”. The song appears to be very poignant in reflecting the inner struggles of the relative characters, including Donnie Yen, who can be seen as the undercover cop forced to endure handfuls of bad guys in various scenes, from a bathroom stall and in a street brawl on a rainy evening. It seems to also illustrate some of what Yen meant during a Beijing press conference back in July while promoting the film when discussing the need to exhibit a more personal dimension to his character, telling news outlets […]

The New Teaser Trailer For ROBOCOP Is…Well…Impressive!

Lee B. Golden III

I admit, I had my doubts about Columbia Pictures’ PG-13-ized RoboCop film from director José Padilha. But I have to say that a new and reimagined version of the title character brought to the big screen in the late 80’s might have something different to offer. I could get used to this, so we’ll see how this one plays out when it releases on February 7, 2014. But for now, I’m liking it. RoboCop sees actor Joel Kinnaman claiming the title role from previous actors Peter Weller (RoboCop and RoboCop 2) and Robert John Burke (Robocop 3). The film also stars Abbie Cornish, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael K. Williams, Jay Baruchel, Jennifer Ehle, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and is directed by José Padilha. SYNOPSIS: In RoboCop, the year is 2028 and multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Their drones are winning […]

The First Official Image Of Tom Hardy In MAD MAX: FURY ROAD Is Online

Lee B. Golden III

ComicBookMovie has unveiled the official first photo of actor Tom Hardy in the title role of writer/director George Miller‘s upcoming film, the long-awaited Mad Max: Fury Road. The image is a higher-definition version of the autographed image from January. The film will be released next year, courtesy of Warner Bros., with production still in a stalemate from time to time-the most recently signified by new reshoots to begin this November, almost a year after production wrapped. Stay tuned for more info aa it comes, in the meantime, view the official synopsis and extensive cast information from Warner Bros., as well as the official image below. SYNOPSIS: “Mad Max: Fury Road”–the fourth in the franchise’s history–stars Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises”) in the title role of Max Rockatansky, alongside Oscar(R) winner Charlize Theron (“Monster”, “Prometheus”) as Imperator Furiosa. According to Miller, “Mad Max is caught up with a group of […]

Check Out An Epic New Image From THE WHITE-HAIRED WITCH

Lee B. Golden III

Bona Film Group released the first image of the upcoming 100 million RMB 3D action adventure, The White-Haired Witch. The film stars actress Fan Bingbing, and actors Huang Xiaoming and action cinema veteran Vincent Zhao. The image is the first to arrive five months after production wrapped back in March. Take a look: The film is the latest 3D adaptation of author Liang Yusheng’s classic 1950’s novel, adapted for the screen by Kang Qiao and Wang Bing, and is produced by Huang Jianxin and directed by Jacob Cheung. The film is currently slated for a December release. Fan Bingbing is also tapped to star alongside actor and producer Jackie Chan’s upcoming film, Skiptrace, from director Sam Fell. Check back for updates!

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[UPDATED] Watch Jessi Fisher Take The Fight To The Enemy In THE DRIVE!

Lee B. Golden III

UPDATE – 9.8.13: ‘The Drive’ has since been removed from Amazon Studios and is now available only on director Bob Bravler’s official Vimeo channel. CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT. Please direct your attention now to the latest online gem to hit the film festival circuit, this summer. Now available for viewing at Amazon Studios is the new shortfilm, The Drive, starring action actress, stuntwoman and cirque performer Jessi Fisher, and directed by veteran stuntman and actor Bob Bravler. I spoke to producer and stunt coordinator Tony Snegoff who stated the project, as well as Fisher, the main lead of the action packed mini-movie. Originally meant as a smaller-scale project to feature some awesome stuntwork for several reels for Fisher and the director. Evidently, the project ended up into something much larger and grew into a shortfilm with some significant potential. That potential led to its rousing showing at this year’s […]

No Greengrass For Future 'Bourne' Movies

Lee B. Golden III

A new report broke from Comic Book Movie on Thursday, with statements forwarded from Empire Online regarding filmmaker Paul Greengrass in relation to recent buzz on his return to the Bourne franchise. “I’ve absolutely no idea,” Greengrass told Empire Online. “I’m not being funny but, no, that’s just a figment of someone’s imagination.”. Twitch originally broke their version of the story back in late August. However, with reports also declaring Universal Pictures’ rebutting any said meeting between themselves and Greengrass, it seems Greengrass is more than willing to nip those rumors in the bud, especially emphasizing just how rare talks even are regarding the very franchise that landed actor Matt Damon his own role in the first three films. When asked when it was discussed last, he said, “Quite a while ago, …We might have a laugh about it, but a serious conversation? Not for a long time.”. Damon has […]

Help Celebrate 'ROAD TO HELL' director ALBERT PYUN'S Career Through Indiegogo

Lee B. Golden III

After 40 long years of bringing cult cinema favorites like Cyborg (1989), Captain America (1990), the Nemesis Quadrilogy (1992-96), Heatseeker (1995) and Mean Guns (1997), director Albert Pyun‘s career is coming to a close. At age 60, the multifaceted filmmaker now suffers from symptoms of multiple sclerosis which forced his retirement from film, making his most recent project, Cyborg Nemesis: The Dark Rift, his last film with producer Cynthia Curnan. To celebrate his four decade career, Curnan is helping promote a new star-studded, celebratory event in Los Angeles to celebrate Pyun‘s 40 year career with a screening of his most-awarded film, Road To Hell. The film sequelizes the 1984 rock and role cult action classic, Streets Of Fire, from director Walter Hill, with actor Michael Paré reprising his role as ex-soldier Tom Cody. The film is seeking a large campaign toward funding further screenings in addition to Los Angeles, and […]

Watch The New Trailer For YOUNG DETECTIVE DEE: RISE OF THE SEA DRAGON

Lee B. Golden III

Acclaimed master filmmaker Tsui Hark is back in action this year with the upcoming 3D action adventure spectacle, Young Detective Dee: Rise Of The Sea Dragon. The new, Chinese-subbed promo comes just several months after a first teaser arrived in June, followed by a second teaser late last month. A prequel to Hark‘s 2010 predecessor, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, the film represents the latest efforts at achieving 3D entertainment from film production company, Huayi Brothers, and is among a slate of other upcoming 3D releases this month and in following weeks thereafter, including director Law Wing Cheong’s The Wrath Of Vajra the same week. Young Detective Dee: Rise Of The Sea Dragon stars Mark Chao in the title role. The film also stars Feng Shaofeng, actress and Rise Of The Legend co-star Angelababy and South Korean actor Kim Bum in his China debut, TV actor […]

MAX STEEL To Go Live-Action For Theaters In 2014!

Lee B. Golden III

I was not too familiar with the Max Steel franchise until I came upon The Action Elite‘s latest article on it from last month’s Fan Expo in Canada. The character is based on a Mattel toy line and a 2002 TV show, and was recently rebooted for a new Cartoon Network series created by Len Wiseman and Paul W.S. Anderson. On Wednesday, the public received word via a new press release that the famed animated show is now getting a full-fledged feature length series. After seeing this year’s series trailer, I myself thought it would make live action vehicle… I guess someone up there read what I was thinking. Check out the full press release, as forwarded by ComingSoon.net: Dolphin Entertainment, Inc. and Mattel, Inc. have confirmed they are teaming up to develop the live-action, feature-length film Max Steel based on Mattel’s franchise property of the same name. The film […]

Watch Josh Thomson Take On Xin Sarith Wuku In A New Teaser Clip For FIST OF THE DRAGON

Lee B. Golden III

A new clip has surfaced for the upcoming martial arts action thriller, Fist Of The Dragon. The film is written by Justin Fox and directed by Jackie Chan Presents: Wushu (2008) helmer Antony Szeto in his second Roger Corman-produced vehicle of 2013 since the release of the horror thriller, Palace Of The Damned. Fist Of The Dragon is a remake of the Don “The Dragon” Wilson action thriller, Moving Target (2000) and boasts a versatile cast of talented actors and screenfighters, with UFC fighter Josh “The Punk” Thomson making his acting debut. Also starring are action actresses Juju Chan and Maria Tran who just recently broke ground in the film festival circuit with their latest independent Girls With Guns shortfilm thriller, Hit Girls, co-directed by Adrian Castro. Also starring are actress Ellary Potterfield and actor Daniel Whyte, with appearances by Andrew Dasz, J. Cheung and the EMC Monkeys’ own Xin […]

Watch The New Trailer For MAN OF TAI CHI!

Lee B. Golden III

Arriving On-Demand on September 27, 2013, followed by a November 1, 2013 theatrical release is the explosive martial arts action feature, Man Of Tai Chi. The film marks actor Keanu Reeves‘s directorial debut opposite actor and fellow ‘Matrix’ stunt performer and coordinator Tiger Chen in his first lead role. The film also stars Karen Mok and Simon Yam, with legendary action master Yuen Woo Ping designing the fight sequences that have dazzled audiences since its premiere in China on July 5. The film was picked up for North American distribution back in May by Radius/TWC, following the film’s sale at the Cannes Film Festival. SYNOPSIS: In the midst of Beijing’s urban bustle, ambitious young ‘Tiger’ Chen Lin-Hu (Tiger Chen) works as a lowly courier; but after work, he is a young martial arts star, rising through the ranks representing the Ling Kong Tai Chi tradition. He has crafted the stealthy, […]

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. Begins Filming This Month

Lee B. Golden III

With actor Tom Cruise now busy working Mission: Impossible 5, the upcoming Guy Ritchie-directed theatrical installment of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is setting up for principle photography with Man Of Steel‘s own Henry Cavill and The Lone Ranger‘s Armie Hammer. The film is based on a classic 1960’s spy-fi series which starred Robert Vaughn and David McCallum. Ritchie previously directed the 2009 hit film, Sherlock Holmes, followed by the 2011 release of Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game Of Shadows. Of course, with all hopes of a third film are the prospects of Ritchie‘s latest work here. Hopefully this just means more great films to enjoy before Cavill moves on to Batman VS. Superman with Ben Affleck. That said, here’s Today’s new press release from Warner Bros., courtesy of Business Wire: BURBANK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Principal photography will begin on September 9 on Warner Bros. Pictures’ “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” The film is […]

Make Way For Akshay Kumar In The New Trailer For BOSS

Lee B. Golden III

Hot off the heels of the release of his newest film, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai…Again, comes a new trailer for big time Bollywood action hero Akshay Kumar‘s latest Hindi-language comedic, high-flying spectacle, Boss. The film is a remake of a 2010 Malayalam film titled Pokiri Raja (The Rogue King) to which Kumar bought the rights in early 2012. The film is based on a screenplay by Sajid-Farhad and features Kumar as a kind-hearted, charitable gangster at odds with the ruthless town police officer. The film is also Kumar‘s second action picture with writer/director Anthony D’Souza since working together for the 2009 action romance, Blue. Boss also stars Mithun Chakraborty, Aditi Rao Hydari, Shiv Pandit, Johnny Lever, Ronit Roy and Parikshit Sahni, and is slated for domestic release on October 16, 2013.

Could THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS Get A Sequel?

Lee B. Golden III

Impact Online is reporting that musician, producer, actor and director RZA‘s late 2012 comic book-hip-hop kung fu hybrid fantasy epic, The Man With The Iron Fists, may see its way to a hopeful sequel. Mike Leeder writes that despite the film’s lack of commercial success and mixed reviews, the news lends itself with much credit due to the film’s home sales on DVD, Blu-Ray and DVD. The Man With The Iron Fists took seven years to finance, with years and months spent with RZA and fellow producer Eli Roth conceptualizing the story, pitching it to various studios and turning it into a solid script until Universal Pictures finally announced its involvement in 2010. While filming, the film.underwent several hefty edits and apparently left out a lot of material prior to its Hollywood premiere in October, followed by its North American release on November 2, 2012. I particularly enjoyed The Man […]

Watch Louis Fan Back In Action In The New Teaser For PAY BACK

Lee B. Golden III

Some posters trickled out for a new film coming possibly this month titled Pay Back (a.k.a. Hunting Enemies), a Mandarin-language uber-violent Triad thriller starring Louis Fan Siu-Wong leading the way with actor Francis Ng. The film is directed by Fu Xi and also stars Deng Ziyi, Lam Suet, in addition to the return of legendary Asian action cinema legend Cynthia Khan back to the big screen. We also got some screenshots that are now available online depending on where you look, in addition to some extra information about the film’s plot which involves the collision of two different worlds following the attempted murder of a gangster newly released from prison. I’m still looking out for information about this film, but if there’s anything to take away from this teaser, is that Fan is in pure form and ready to dazzle action fans everywhere. Fu’s latest film already looks like a […]

A Conflict Of Interest Looms For A Gifted Fighter In Manu Lanzi's New French Shortfilm, HERO ??

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been quite a while since I saw actor, performer and action director Manu Lanzi on screen. However, the multi-faceted stunt actor and performer has an exemplary resumé working on such film properties as The Transporter, Taken, Samurai, Kiss Of The Dragon, The Musketeer, Brotherhood Of The Wolf, District B13, Unleashed, JCVD and Jackie Chan’s latest, Chinese Zodiac. To me though, his most memorable performance was with fellow actor and fight choreographer Patrick Vo in writer/director Aurélien Poitrimoult’s 2006 action jam-packed superhero short, The Green Hornet, based on the classic 1930’s radio and TV character of the same name. Accordingly with today’s debut, Lanzi returns the trend with his newest shortfilm now available on his Vimeo channel, Hero ??, with co-star Alban Lenoir, taking viewers on a gritty, dark, less-glamourous journey of a talented fighter who is forced to confront a dilemna when raw footage of a daytime assault catches […]

Awareness Is The Message In The New Trailer For Andrew Dean's New Short Action Drama, COPE

Lee B. Golden III

Independent filmmaker Andrew Dean is out with a new trailer for his latest project, Cope. The film is a dramatic action short piece that takes a stark look into the lasting effects of a former soldier trying to acclimate himself back into society while suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Dean wrote and directed the project with the help of a small crew for three non-consecutive filming days last month between August 19 and 30. Cope stars independent performer, actor and stunt coordinator Anthony Giovanni Elias (pictured above), who Dean had known for about three months in accordance with the release of the documentary for Elias‘s newly established Florida-based film stunt and screenfighting group, Genesis Action Stunts. Dean shared his thoughts with Film Combat Syndicate on what drove him to create latest message-driven shortfilm. “I was inspired to make this because there are people in the world who have gone through […]

Observe The Transitional Psychosis Of A Kidnapper In The New Suspenful Martial Arts Horror Shortfilm, PROFILE IN DARKNESS

Lee B. Golden III

Traveling filmmaker and actor Graeme Noble is back on the web this week with a brand new martial arts action short, Profile In Darkness. The shortfilm is a first-time collaboration between Noble Brothers Productions and Golden Cash Productions, and features fellow Noble Brothers actor and performer Martin Sandison, and veteran independent actor and filmmaker Cristoffer Frank who hails all the way from Sweden. Noble shared a little bit of his experience with me while working on this project, having filmed back in the middle of August for a three-day location shoot in the Scottish Highlands. “We booked a caravan for a few days and spent the majority of our trip filming.” he says. “There were definite challenges filming everything with just the three of us. I was behind the camera for most of the film but Martin did a great job with the camera for the bits I was in.” […]

THE WRATH OF VAJRA Gets A Release Date!

Lee B. Golden III

Director Law Wing-Cheong‘s 2-part action adventure reboot, Iceman 3D still has several months left before debuting the first film in China on January 30, 2014, prior to the March release of the sequel. In the meantime, Law‘s upcoming World War 2 fantasy martial arts epic, Media Asia will be treating action filmgoers to his upcoming September 26, 2013 release date for The Wrath Of Vajra. The report came out on Sunday over at Filmbiz.Asia with a slate of other additional 3D feature films to be released in the coming weeks, including the September 28 release of the sci-fi basketball movie, sci-fi basketball film Amazing, director Tsui Hark’s upcoming fantasy adventure, Young Detective Dee: Rise Of The Sea Dragon on the following day, and the Pang Brothers’ upcoming firefighter thrillers, Out of Inferno, and the Derek Kwok-directed As the Light Goes Out to be released in December. The Wrath Of Vajra has since been picked up by Well […]